My wife suggested to me that when tea-drunk my paintings seem to make more sense. As they are inspired by tea, and stained by the sessions that always precede my paintings, I've decided that whenever anyone orders a painting it will also come with some free, fine tea from my collection, so you can view it through the leaves I do.

The calligraphy reads "Aroma of Tea" (and my typical "Yi Cha Hui Shi"). I imagine the aroma of the hermit's tea as I climb the trail to his ledge: Needless to say, I'm a silly teahead drunk on 70s 7532...

Note: From now on, I will mention if they are paintings or scrolls in parentheses in the titles.

The calligraphy says that "tea has in it the clouds, water and mountain." This includes a pun as "cloud water" is also what zen novices are called--perhaps the two itsy-bitsy tea sages down by a hut, beneath the pines--taking it all in.

Yes, I grind my own ink and pigments. I also use only handmade papers (purchased, but I'm learning). I find the time spent grinding is worth it as it calms me down even more before picking up the brush. Also, the colors are so much different from what you can buy in a tube or cake. I do dream in color, often lucidly.

Thanks Clare. Your scroll is being mounted as we speak. It takes about a week, as the rice-glutton glue dries a bit slow in Taiwan due to humidity. As I am just beginning to learn how to mount, I still pay my friend to do the work and mostly watch, helping out here and there. I chose a duller, water-blue with a flower pattern for the silk and the best quality dark-wood for the dowel/knobs. I think it will look nice.